Even If Everyone Hates You

Long after, the navy-blue flag with a white wolf drawn on it could be seen swaying along the fierce wind, the Crown Prince’s procession was nearby. Led by royal knights holding red flags painted with the sun, followed by the Knights of the Frossierth Family whom they had sent earlier to protect the procession. After checking the flags that followed, it became clear that the current situation was the same as in Seiad’s memories. The Sildras, a guardian family of the south, was not able to attend this year’s prayer ceremony.

The Sildras Family were relatives of the Queen, and were the only ones to side with Prince Lesath, who received no support. Even that was not perfect, as they favored the current queen’s second son over Prince Lesath, who was left to fend for himself. However, the next head of the family, Zion Sildras, had always stood by Prince Lesath’s side. The reason he was unable to participate this time was for the sake of his succession.

The lord, who had been sick for several years, died before winter. Since the issue of a Titer’s succession was considered especially important in the kingdom, the Sildras got an exception of not having to participate in this year’s prayer ceremony.

If that is the case, then something might really happen as it did in the memories.

To some extent, it has become clear that today was considered the past, he had not been certain until now. Having confirmed on how to move, he went out to greet the crown prince who had arrived at the castle gate.

At the same time that the golden royal carriage stopped, Seiad also dismounted from his horse. The vassals who followed him also got off their horses and prepared to greet the crown prince.

When the coachman who brought the footstool opened the door of the carriage, he saw a familiar face.

“Greeting to his Highness Aster, the light of the kingdom. May there be glory upon Solias.”

Starting with Seiad, who lowered his head, the vassals bowed. The etiquette of Solias was very generous towards Titer’s, and it was common for a Titer, who served as the head of the household of the time, to show only the necessary etiquette to the Royal Family. Although the system of titles and ranks between the king and the nobles were a set of rules that was essential from the fact that they were mutually necessary for each other, despite their different status as a ruler and subjects.

“How have you been, my star?”

The Crown Prince, Aster, who descended while holding the knight’s hand, approached with a smile. The blonde hair fluttering in the sharp wind was as brilliant and magnificent as the setting sun. The blue eyes that contained the clear sky were smiling at Seiad.

“Come and show me your face. I have missed you so much.” 

At his command to obey, Seiad raised his head and approached him. Aster, who looked at Seiad, who had stopped in front of him, soon took off his white leather gloves. Then he grabbed Seiad’s chin with his bare hands. The sharp jawline was enveloped by the gentle touch of his hand.

“Your face is hurt.”

His straight fingertips pressed his cheeks slightly. Aster, who checked his face by turning his chin with gentle force, whispered.

“Your cheeks are very cold. Have you been waiting for a long time?”

As soon as his words were finished, warmth spread from Aster’s hands. His touch, which melted the frozen cheek, was as caring and soft as always. Like the time when he came to comfort him during his mother’s funeral when no one else came.

“…No.”

Aster laughed at the short, dry reply. He wrapped his palm around Seiad’s cheek and removed his other glove and caressed both of his cheeks. Pure energy flowed through the area that Aster

touched. The energy that seemed to unravel the tangled mess inside, quickly calmed the body of the Titer, who had been preparing for winter without a guide.

Seiad fell silent to the consciousness of purification that each cell remembers. When Seiad had no one to stop him during his rampage, the kind and gentle master, Aster, was nowhere to be found. Aster, who always stayed by his side to calm him down, was away only on the day he was sentenced to death. Without appearing even during the rampage that lasted for a full day, he gave up on him in the end.

…He seemed to have been waiting for Aster more than he thought.

Suddenly, an uncomfortable wave of realization swept over his calm mind. As the Crown Prince, Aster’s decision was reasonable and rational. If Seiad had been in his position, he would have acted no differently. The only one who could stop a rampaging Titer was a guide, but the guide was bound to get hurt in the process. It was too great of a risk for the being who would become the sun to bear.

So, there is no resentment. It would be false if he had not felt betrayed, but Aster fulfilled his duty as his guide. Expecting more than that would be greed and delusion. Therefore, there is no need to harbor any hatred towards Aster. 

Trying to restore the relationship with Prince Lesath was not to necessarily treat the Crown Prince as an enemy, but for the sake of preventing the worst possible outcome for everyone.

“It’s cold outside, so I’ll take you inside.”

Even with his blunt words, Aster still smiled like a ray of sunshine. He removed his hand from his cheek and this time reached out for Seiad’s hand. Without wearing his gloves, Aster melted his frozen hands.

“Yes, I suppose so. I want to go inside and hear your story.”

Aster, who readily accepted, led Seiad as he wanted to go together with him. Seiad’s body, which was about to unconsciously follow him, stopped. As the lord of Axid’s territory, it was his duty to welcome important guests, but Seiad, who had been obeying the Crown Prince, would always grant whatever he wanted. This meant that the many tasks to take care of were often entrusted by the attendants who had to welcome guests as it was now. 

Perhaps because the hesitant Seiad was strange, Aster looked back at him. He (Seiad) looked at the pair of blue eyes smiling as if they knew nothing. As he looked into his eyes, he suddenly felt that he should obey his orders.

…However, Seiad had tasks to do today. In order to prevent the disaster, cooperation from the Titers who attended today was necessary. It is likely those who originally disliked Seiad, would show even more resentment here, which would make it difficult to obtain their cooperation.

“I will follow you shortly. Your Highness, would you like to go ahead and warm yourself up first?”

Aster stared at Seiad with a smile on his face. He tilted his head slightly, seemed to be thinking of something, then smiled.

“It’s not like you.”

It seems like a passing remark, but the contents within it were not. Seiad spoke forth the words he had prepared in advance.

“People seemed to say that. They considered it impolite because I have not learned anything.”

Aster raised his eyebrows at the unexpected words.

“Who dares to say such a thing?”

The affectionate blue eyes turned into a frozen lake in the clear sky. Seiad remained silent, then spoke calmly.

“I am not sure of the source of the rumor that is circulating among the public. but it seems that my actions are being interpreted in a certain way, Your Highness… On a day like this, I am merely trying to maintain an appearance of courtesy and propriety.” 

In fact, it was something I had always heard, so I did not make it up. Aster stared intently at Seiad, but slowly returned to his original smile.

“My star always pleases me.”

Aster’s hand gradually lost its strength. His fingers, which were hesitantly circling around my wrist as if he were about to let go, completely withdrew.

“Then I won’t stop you. But you’d better not keep me waiting long. As you know, I have little patience.”

After finishing his words, Aster narrowed his eyes and smiled before turning his back. The cloak made of the wolf fur, which Seiad gifted him, swayed greatly before settling heavily. As he watched the disappearing figure, he clenched his fist with the hand he was holding and opened it.

Moistening his dry mouth, Seiad turned around. It was only then that the procession, which had been stopped until the crown prince was completely welcomed inside, was seen moving. The next to enter was Duke Bredrit, a Titer from the west. His daughter, Nova, was not yet of age and was not eligible to participate in the prayer ceremony. The duke, who got out of the carriage under the escort of the Knights, looked at Seiad standing there without responding, his eyes narrowed with a hint of curiosity, Seiad then greeted him briefly.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

All Titerians had the same status. Because the northern territories were so vast and barren, the title of Grand Duke was bestowed upon the Frossierth family, but it did not mean that there was a difference in status between Titer’s. However, they would adjust their speech to each other based on their respective ages, sometimes speaking more formally or informally. But they all spoke respectfully to Duke Bredrit, who was the oldest amongst them.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

The duke, who had been observing Seiad as if asking why he came to greet him, immediately added a word.

“It would have been nice to see Nova. I hope this will happen again next year.”

Although the prayer ceremony will not be held next year, Seiad ended the conversation with a nod. The duke shrugged his shoulders as if the excitement had faded away due to the lack of response. Seiad, who guided the duke’s party, then greeted a Titer from the east. After getting off the carriage, Duke Beatria laughed at Seiad waiting for her.

“What a big deal.”

With those words, the duke passed by Seiad. Seeing that the duke’s daughter, Stella, was absent, it seemed that she had attended the funeral of the Sildras’ family. A Titer, who was not awarded a title, was not always mobilized unless it was an emergency, so she did not violate the rules. Furthermore, considering that Stella avoided Seiad, it was indeed the right decision for her not to come. Even this was aligned with the memories.

After welcoming two Titers, Seiad welcomed five more families. They were all the descendants of each Duke, and only half of their blood was mixed with Titer. Although they did not possess the perfect abilities as the Titer’s, they had distinctive abilities that set them apart from ordinary people.

It was not until we reached the end of the procession that we could see the last guest. The knights guarding the carriage were an insignificant number, unlike those that had passed before, and the carriage itself was old and worn out. It was abandoned and discarded, merely existing like someone who was left behind and forgotten.

A brown-haired knight, who must have just become an adult, had a face filled with tension as he looked at Seiad. He seems to have recently been appointed, and it was clear he didn’t know what to do. It was also a common sight among those who encountered a Titer for the first time.

“Greeting, Archduke Axid, we are the escort knights of His Highness Lesath.”

At that moment, an old knight with white hair stepped forward with a polite greeting. Following his lead, the knights hurriedly followed and made a respectful stance. Among the young knights who lacked experience, he was the only one who showed years of experience. Observing the kind and benevolent demeanor of the old knight, Seiad slowly parted his lips.

“Sir Anka.”

When his name was called, the old knight widened his eyes and looked at Seiad as if he never expected it. Seiad glanced blankly at the old man’s face, which showed a clear expression of surprise. The Anka, in his memory, was covered with his own blood and the blood of dead knights. The old knight, who was in a clean state, did not appear to be the same person as then. That implies that Sir Anka at that time, was dying miserably.

“You must have waited a long time. Please allow me to serve your lordship.”

At Seiad’s order, the old knight quickly came to his senses. He quickly approached the carriage and opened the old door. As Seiad observed the scene, it was hard to believe that it was a royal carriage, given its shabby condition, with no one offering a footstool.

But the prince emerged from the carriage as if he were used to it. He bent down and stepped out of the carriage and stood on the ground easily balancing himself. Slowly, the eyes of the prince and Seiad, who had straightened their upper bodies, met.

The coming winter wind blew through the prince’s black hair. The soft curly hair gently brushed across his forehead and swayed repeatedly. The eyes of the purple dawn-sky stared intently at Seiad. At the same time, the gentle laughter of his smiling eyes gradually faded away, replaced by a stern and icy demeanor.